Imagine this: You are going on an informational interview at a place where you once worked. You are hoping to network back into that field, but you’ve been away from it for over five years. Suddenly, without warning, the informational interview changes into two days of job interviews, nine interviews each day (yikes!), in two offices, in different states, where they have openings. Some insider information increases the pressure. A friend tells you that there are some within the company who do not want you to work there (obviously they didn’t take a shine to you when you worked there before).

How do you prepare for that? You can’t in the time allotted, but this CTC (Career Transitions Center of Chicago) alum was ready. He had developed over five stories (I know because I worked with him to edit them and make them tighter, and they were powerful stories). His value statement was also tight and flab free. He was a person of substance–advanced degree from a top-rated university–but he was smart enough to understand that his style would determine the outcome. His substance had done little to persuade those who were gunning for him, so he had to charm them by being relaxed, personable, confident, memorable, and likable.

When he was finished he wasn’t told they would get back to him in a couple of days. They told him he could work in either office. He received an offer that he did not need to counter: It was at the top of their pay range for that position. And yes, he had won over even those people who opposed his candidacy.

I asked him something I believed I already knew the answer to, “Did you enjoy your nine interviews per day?” He answered the way I thought he would, “I did. I knew I was ready for whatever they threw at me. I was relaxed, smiling, confident.” I felt the same way after I had once prepared that extensively for an interview and aced it.

Folks, the stuff you are learning at the CTC works, but you have to put in the work, and it is hard work. It can take 5-10 editing sessions, and several difficult hours, to craft one story. However, that one story will be memorable, entertaining, and will separate you from the crowd of people who offer dull data-points and believe that their substance is all that matters. The second, third, and fourth story will increase your separation from the crowd, your memorability and likability. It’s hard work, but as the above STORY shows, it is worth it.

Happy New Year to all and may your goals of meaningful employment be realized.